Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles, 11 July
On Tuesday 11 July the Sussex Sharks play the Essex Eagles at the County Ground, Hove in their last zonal Twenty20 match. It’s been a fantastic series culminating in tomorrow’s game. Sussex still have a chance of going through to the Quarter Finals but they must beat the Eagles.
Play starts at 5.40pm and gates open at 3.30pm. There are plenty of tickets available to all who want to come and support the Sharks, we’ll even let Eagles supporters in! The weather forecast is good so there’s no better place to spend your Tuesday evening!
The Sussex Squad
RR Montgomerie, MJ Prior+,CJ Adams*, MH Yardy, CD Hopkinson, LJ Wright,RSC Martin-Jenkins,Mushtaq Ahmed, Yasir Arafat, RJ Kirtley, SA Heather, OP Rayner, MW Goodwin.
Mushtaq Ahmed is still suffering with a stiff neck. He will undergo a fitness test tomorrow to ascertain whether he will be able to play.
South Group Commentary – There is still all to play for in this final round of qualifying matches in this year’s Twenty20. Sussex could finish 2nd but not only have to beat Essex, but must also improve their Net Run Rate and rely on Kent avoiding defeat against Surrey. Anything less than a win for the Sharks means they can finish no higher than 3rd, and they will then need to look at the other qualifying groups to check their position relative to the other third-placed finishers.
Last Meeting Between the Sides:
Chelmsford – 28th June 2006 (Floodlit) – Essex won by 87 Runs Essex 196/6 (20 Overs; ten Doeschate 29*, Pettini 46, Middlebrook 43, Mushtaq 2/19) Sussex 109 (13.3 Overs; Arafat 34, Bichel 4/23)
History of the Fixture:
2003 21st June at Hove
Sussex 180/6 beat Essex 173/4 by 7 Runs
2004 15th July at Chelmsford (Fl)
Essex 134/8 lost to Sussex 136/1 by 9 Wkts
2005 22nd June at Hove (Fl)
Essex 109 lost to Sussex 110/1 by 9 Wickets
26th June at Chelmsford
Essex 151/5 beat Sussex 108 by 43 Runs
2006 28th June at Chelmsford (Fl)
Essex 196/6 lost to Sussex 109 by 87 Runs
Overall Record – Sussex 3, Essex 2